In the Long Run

When I was young, I was often a little anxious around my father because I considered him to be very rigid, and sometimes harsh in his discipline. My father has mellowed quite a bit over the years. Now he’s an easy-going, pushover grandpa that plays Dominoes with his grandchildren, takes them on walks, and gives them rides on the riding lawn mower.

Through the years, and through the changes, I’ve always respected my father, and have come to realize that his dominant personality has influenced me in positive ways. I’ve learned frugality, goal-setting, and even tenderness from my dad.

Dad has always been a penny-pincher, a natural consequence of growing up extremely poor during the depression. He certainly knew the value of a dollar, and how to get the most out of it. I remember trips to El Paso, TX so we could shop at Fed-Mart, which I suppose was the discount store of yesterday. He insisted on getting a quality product for his money, but he was careful to find the lowest price for that item.

My father was quite disciplined when he set a goal, whether it was to fix an ailing automobile or appliance, to learn to play the electric organ he bought, or to assemble his own computer. He was quite versatile in his interests, and he attacked new challenges with intelligence, ingenuity, and intensity. He seemed to be successful at whatever he put his mind to doing.

Although he was often stern, my dad had his sensitive side. He didn’t express his love for us verbally too often. But I remember family meetings in which we were all gathered, perhaps not necessarily willingly. It was on those occasions that he told us how proud he was of us, and that he loved us. I recall being somewhat surprised that my austere father had a catch in his voice.

When I was about six or seven years old, I longed to have a walk-in playhouse. I pestered my parents to buy me one, not really appreciating what it might cost, and was sorely disappointed when they said it was too expensive. So I was elated when my dad said he’d build me one. He drew up his own plans for a playhouse that had a working door, and shutters that opened and closed for windows. The clever design incorporated hinged walls that folded flat for easy storage. Dad worked in his spare time to bring the project to fruition to please his insistent and impatient young daughter. I was thrilled, and spent many happy hours in that playhouse. I felt quite special, and perhaps a little superior, that my dad had made that playhouse just for me.

In that single project my dad brought together those qualities of frugality, goal-setting, and tenderness that still affect me positively today. I appreciate his good example, and hope that in the long run, I’ve been able to beneficially influence my own children because of the lessons I’ve learned from him.

Posted by Cyppy at 7:55 PM